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Everything you need to know about enrolment at RNN Group 2024

6 August 2024

August is here and the month countdown to starting college is on.

If you’ve applied to study at either Rotherham College, North Notts College or Dearne Valley College this September, it’s almost time to officially enrol as an RNN Group student.

But what does that mean? And what do you need to do?

Enrolment is split into two parts: An online form, followed by an in-person visit to your chosen College campus.

If you’re new to College or starting a new course, you’ll need to do both parts before you start in September. Emails are being sent out over the next couple of weeks with a link to the online enrolment, so check your spam/junk folders just in case.

If you’re coming back for the second or third year of your course, you’ll have automatically been re-enrolled before the summer break. Enjoy the rest of your summer and we look forward to seeing you back in College from Monday, 2nd September for another successful year.

Below is some guidance for new students so keep on reading to find out everything you need to know about enrolment.

What is enrolment?

You’ve applied for your course, received an offer, been on a taster session. Now you need to enrol to confirm and finalise your place as an RNN student.

Enrolment takes place every year in August for new students. It involves checking that you’ve signed up to the correct course and that you’ve got the GCSE grades you need. Our staff also complete some other administrative checks to help you get ready for your first day at College.

What is the online enrolment and what do I need to do?

This is a quick online form that you need to log in and complete to check we have all the correct details for you. It should take about 15 minutes.

You’ll need your application identifier number (sent via email) and date of birth to log in. You should also receive an email with instructions about how to complete it, but if you get stuck at any point then just give us a call.

Before you start, it’s handy to know what you’ll need so it saves you time when completing the form.

The online enrolment form will ask you to confirm your details, such as your name, address, contact number, and course you’ve applied for. It will also ask you questions about your employment status, gender, preferred pronouns, ethnicity, and whether you have any criminal convictions. If you are aged 19 or older, you will need your National Insurance Number.

You’ll need to add contact details of a parent/guardian; this will be your emergency contact for if anything happens to you while you’re at College. There is also a section to include details of any disabilities or learning support you’ll need while at College.

You’ll need to upload a proof of ID such as your passport, birth certificate, driving license, or National Insurance number card. This can be a scan or photo. There is also a step to upload a photograph of yourself that will be used on your College ID card. There are guidelines for what can/can’t be included in the photo, a bit like a passport photo, but if it’s not right then someone will take one at your in-person enrolment appointment.

There are a few sections about your previous education. You’ll need to add the name of your last school or College. It will also ask you to input your GCSE grades. If you complete the online form before GCSE results day (Thursday 22nd August – but you probably already know that!), just skip this bit and remember to bring your results slip to your in-person appointment.

If you are unable to complete your online enrolment for any reason, there will be an opportunity to do this at your in-person enrolment day with support from our enrolment team.

If you have changed your mind about your course since you first made your application, please contact our Learner Recruitment Team on schoolevents@rnngroup.ac.uk.

Once you’ve filled everything in, you’ll needs to agree to the Ts & Cs then click complete.

When do I need to come in for my in-person enrolment?

After you’ve submitted the online part, you’ll be sent a date and time for an in-person enrolment appointment at your chosen College campus.

This will be the final step of the enrolment process where our staff check your grades and give you your everything you need ready to start at college in September, such as your student ID card and lanyard, start date, timetable, plans for welcome week, and login details for our student portal and Moodle.

All three of our College campuses will be holding enrolment appointments from GCSE results day until the start of September. If you can’t make your allotted time or date for any reason, because you’re working or are on holiday, let us know ASAP and we’ll try to rearrange. Call 01709 513355 or email learn@dearne-coll.ac.uk.

They last about an hour and take place with your new course tutor. On the day of your appointment, head to the main reception of your College campus. There will be people around to sign you in and direct you to the room you need to be in.

You might be thinking you don’t need to come in if you’ve already enrolled online, but you must attend your in-person appointment. You won’t officially be an RNN student if you don’t turn up.

What do I need to bring with me for my enrolment appointment?

  • Proof of Qualifications
    GCSE results, Certificates
  • Identification
    Passport, driving licence, birth certificate, National Insurance card/letter.
  • Method of payment for course fees
    This only applies if you’re over 19 and need to pay for your course. If you’re unemployed, in receipt of Universal Credit, or on a low income, you may be eligible to have your fees waived but evidence is needed.

If your course requires a DBS check, such as childcare or health and social care, you’ll also need:

List A – ONE Document 

  • Passport
  • Driving Licence 
  • Birth Certificate
  • Adoption Certificate 
  • Biometric Residency Permit

List B – TWO Documents

  • National Insurance number 
  • Bank or mortgage statement dated within 3 months
  • P45 / P60 
  • Utility Bill in your name dated within 3 months 
  • PIP letter in your name dated within 6 months 
  • Letter from headteacher at last school dated within 3 months 
  • National proof of age card (must carry the PASS logo) 
  • Marriage certificate 
  • Any Government letter addressed to you issued within last 12 months 
  • HM Forces ID card

If your nationality is not British or you have not lived in the UK for the last three years, you will also need to provide one of the following:

  • Passport
  • Visa
  • Residence permit
  • Evidence of EU Settlement status

What else happens at my appointment?

You should have already uploaded a photo for your student ID card but if for any reason this wasn’t right, there will be someone taking photos on the day, so be prepared.

If you need additional support with things like childcare, SEND support, or applying for the College bursary, there will be someone available to talk to. You can also sign up for the College bus service and receive your pass ready for September.

Hopefully this has given you a better idea about what to expect at enrolment. But you can find more answers on our enrolment FAQs page.

What happens if I don’t get the grades needed for my chosen course?

Don’t panic! You’ll still have a College place, but you might have to change the level of course to a more appropriate one. Just attend your enrolment appointment as planned and our tutors will give you advice about alternative options.

I haven’t heard anything about enrolment

By GCSE results days, you should have been contacted by us via email. If you’ve checked your emails (including Spam/Junk folders) and still can’t see any emails from us, get in touch with your chosen College campus who will check we have your correct details on the system. It could be that you used your school email address in your application and no longer have access to this.

Next steps?

The new academic year starts on Monday 2nd September and we are so excited to welcome our new set of students to College. We hope you’re just as eager to start this exciting new chapter as you work towards your chosen career.

Still not made your mind up?

It’s not too late to apply for your College place. Our three Colleges are still accepting new student applications throughout August and September. Whether you haven’t applied for any College, or have applied elsewhere and since changed your mind, get in touch or apply online.

We will be offering a late applicant enrolment day on Saturday 31st August between 9am and 1pm.

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